Evaluation of a modified ultrasound-assisted technique for mid-thoracic epidural placement: a prospective observational study.

Background: Although mid-thoracic epidural analgesia benefits patients undergoing major surgery, technical difficulties often discourage its use. Improvements in technology are warranted to improve the success rate on first pass and patient comfort. The previously reported ultrasound-assisted technique using a generic needle insertion site failed to demonstrate superiority over conventional landmark techniques.

Platelet CFTR inhibition enhances arterial thrombosis via increasing intracellular Cl concentration and activation of SGK1 signaling pathway.

Platelet hyperactivity is essential for thrombus formation in coronary artery diseases (CAD). Dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in patients with cystic fibrosis elevates intracellular Cl levels ([Cl]) and enhanced platelet hyperactivity. In this study, we explored whether alteration of [Cl] has a pathological role in regulating platelet hyperactivity and arterial thrombosis formation.

Milrinone is better choice for controlled low central venous pressure during hepatectomy: A randomized, controlled trial comparing with nitroglycerin.

Background: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of controlled low central venous pressure(CLCVP)induced by milrinone during hepatectomy, and its influence on perioperative hemodynamics, blood loss and patients' recovery, comparing with the traditional method by nitroglycerin.

Methods: 52 patients who underwent elective open hepatectomy were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups: milrinone (M) group and nitroglycerin (NG) group. Milrinone was infused with the rate of 0.

Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Vascular Calcification Research.

Extensive studies related to vascular calcification (VC) were conducted in recent years. However, no bibliometric analysis has systematically investigated this topic. Our study aimed to determine the hotspots and frontiers of VC research in the past decade and provide a reference for future scientific research directions and decision-making in the VC field.

Clcn3 deficiency ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity and adipose tissue macrophage inflammation in mice.

Obesity induces accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and ATM-driven inflammatory responses that promote the development of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. ClC-3 chloride channel/antiporter, encoded by the Clcn3, is critical for some basic cellular functions. Our previous work has shown significant alleviation of type 2 diabetes in Clcn3 knockout (Clcn3) mice.

Xyloketal B exerts antihypertensive effect in renovascular hypertensive rats via the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway and calcium signaling.

Xyloketal B (Xyl-B) is a novel marine compound isolated from mangrove fungus Xylaria sp. (No 2508). We previously showed that Xyl-B promoted endothelial NO release and protected against atherosclerosis through the Akt/eNOS pathway.

LNK deficiency aggravates palmitate-induced preadipocyte apoptosis.

LNK (SH2B3) is an intracellular adaptor protein that negatively regulates cellular proliferation or self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and some other progenitor cells. LNK is also recognized as a key regulator of insulin resistance and inflammatory responses in several tissues and organs. The function of LNK in adipose tissue is unknown.

Cuffed versus uncuffed endotracheal tubes in children: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Cuffed endotracheal tubes (ETTs) have increasingly been used in small children. However, the use of cuffed ETTs in small children is still controversial. The goal of this meta-analysis is to assess the current evidence regarding the postextubation morbidity and tracheal tube (TT) exchange rate of cuffed ETTs compared to uncuffed ETTs in children.

Effects of Fentanyl on Emergence Agitation in Children under Sevoflurane Anesthesia: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background And Objectives: The goal of this meta-analysis study was to assess the effects of fentanyl on emergence agitation (EA) under sevoflurane anesthesia in children.

Subjects And Methods: We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) for articles published until December 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of fentanyl and placebo on EA under sevoflurane anesthesia in children that the outcome were the incidence of EA, postoperative pain, emergence time or adverse effects were included in this meta-analysis.

The efficacy of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists on improving the postoperative pain intensity and satisfaction after remifentanil-based anesthesia in adults: a meta-analysis.

Background: Remifentanil could induce opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance, which would increase pain intensity after the operation. N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have been used to prevent these adverse effects while the efficacy is still controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness of NMDA receptor antagonists in reducing postoperative pain and analgesic consumption after remifentanil-based anesthesia.

Elevated preoperative peripheral blood monocyte count predicts poor prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection.

Background: Peripheral blood monocyte count is an easily assessable parameter of systemic inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine whether monocyte count was prognostic in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatic resection.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 351 patients with HCC treated with hepatic resection from 2006 to 2009.

Folic acid attenuates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced glomerular damage in rats.

The present study investigated whether lowering plasma homocysteine (Hcy) with folic acid (FA) could attenuate hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-associated glomerular damage and possible mechanisms. The HHcy animal model was established by intragastric administration with l-methionine in rats. FA was also given intragastrically.

Vascular fibrosis in atherosclerosis.

Vascular fibrosis, characterized by reduced lumen diameter and arterial wall thickening attributable to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), links with many clinical diseases and pathological progresses including atherosclerosis. It involves proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), accumulation of ECM and inhibition of matrix degradation. The risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), are also suggested as initiation and progression factors of vascular fibrosis.

Involvement of Kv1.5 protein in oxidative vascular endothelial cell injury.

Endothelial injury related to oxidative stress is a key event in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. The activation of the redox-sensitive Kv1.5 potassium channel mediates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells and some cancer cells.

[Effects of preoperative oral glucose on perioperative insulin resistance and plasma proteins of intestinal surgery].

Objective: To investigate the effects of oral intake of glucose solution before surgery on the pH at the lower esophagus, perioperative blood glucose level, and plasmic protein in patients undergoing radical resection for colorectal cancer.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2008, 60 patients undergoing radical surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled and randomized into three groups using the table of random digits. Four patients were withdrawn from the study.

Polysaccharide from fuzi (FPS) prevents hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Background And Aim: Polysaccharide from fuzi (FPS), a Chinese herbal medicine extract, has been demonstrated to exert lipid lowering affects. In this study we examined potential mechanisms underlying this affect, specifically alterations in expression of the LDL-receptor (LDL-R), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase and cytochrome P450 7alpha-1 (CYP7alpha-1), using a rat model of hypercholesterolemia.

Methods And Results: Male rats were fed either a normal or high cholesterol (HC) diet for two-weeks.

[Application of remifentanil in neurosurgical anesthesia: a multi-center study].

Objective: To observe the hemodynamic changes, recovery profiles, and side effects of propofol and remifentanil anesthesia by target controlled infusion (TCI). At different neurosurgical stages in patients undergoing neurosurgical operations.

Methods: 230 patients were scheduled for elective craniotomy in five hospitals in Beijing, Changsha, and Guangzhou.

Low central venous pressure reduces blood loss in hepatectomy.

Aim: To investigate the effect of low central venous pressure (LCVP) on blood loss during hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: By the method of sealed envelope, 50 HCC patients were randomized into LCVP group (n=25) and control group (n=25). In LCVP group, CVP was maintained at 2-4 mmHg and systolic blood pressure (SBP) above 90 mmHg by manipulation of the patient's posture and administration of drugs during hepatectomy, while in control group hepatectomy was performed routinely without lowering CVP.